UC SANTA BARBARA 2012: Played in all 28 games for the Gauchos...Scored 33 goals, which was third on the team...Tallied 21 assists, which was second on the team...Drew 14 ejections... Had 16 steals and seven field blocks...Had two six-game scoring streaks from Sept. 9 through Oct. 7 and again from Oct. 27 through Nov. 23...Had a season-high four goals against Whittier (Sept. 9).

2011: Played in all 28 games for the Gauchos…Posted 24 goals, which was fourth on the team…Drew 14 ejections and penalties…Was second on the team tallying 11 steals…Had four field blocks and 14 assists…Had a season-best five-game scoring streak running from Oct. 2 through Oct. 22…Had a season-high three goals in a win against UC Irvine (Oct. 2)…Scored multiple goals on seven occasions.

HIGH SCHOOLPlayed for Murrieta Valley High School…Was coached by Bryan Lynton…Was the 2010-11 Murrieta Valley Male Athlete of the Year…Helped lead both the water polo and swim teams to Southwestern League Championships all four years of his prep career…The Nighthawks were CIF finalists all four seasons he played…Led his team in assists as a junior and senior, was second in goals both years as well…Earned All-CIF Division III First Team Honors as a junior and All-CIF Division II accolades as a senior…Named an All-American his senior year…An All-American breaststroker during both his junior and senior years, he won the CIF Division II title in the 100 breast as a junior and took second senior year…Helped set a Murrieta Valley school record in the 100 medley relay, swimming 25.67 seconds breaststroke leg.

CLUBPlayed for Elite Water Polo Club.

PERSONALEric Matthew Van de Mortel was born on Feb. 1, 1993 in Murrieta, Calif.…Parents are Ted and Sue Van de Mortel…Has three older siblings: Adam, Chelsea and Denise…Has yet to declare a major at UCSB, but would like to pursue a career as a physical therapist…Enjoys wakeboarding, snowboarding, BMX biking and surfing.